Hey friends. We’re unofficially officially naming Coral our go-to fitness expert. If you haven’t read up on what she wrote before, start HERE. Short story: Coral is a mom of two who was sick of not being happy with her body. She didn’t do anything other than start moving…in her home…with nothing special at all. That, and better eating, resulted in the more toned version of her hot self.
Are you feeling lazy and big? Wanna be fit and thinner? Well, duh.
Without further ado, here’s Coral, who will give you the quick, cheap, and easy way to avoid the Jingle Bulge. She’s honest, she’s funny and she’s been in your shoes.
Tis the season y’all. This is the time of year that we are surrounded by all the good stuff, the parties, the snuggles on the couch watching holiday movies, the baking, the sweets, the booze etc. and it’s also the time leading up to New Year’s resolutions.  So what do we do? We set goals for AFTER the holidays right? Well hot damn we can just work all this off in January? Oh joy! Now for me that means I will eat whatever I want, as much as I want, drink all the cocktails and chillax cause I’m going to have all this extra time and energy in the new year. Maybe I’ll even join a gym (Insert massive eye roll). This approach might be great for some. They might miraculously have surplus time and energy in January. It’s possible I’m sure but look at the mentality behind that. Binge until you are ready to cut it out completely? Isn’t that a bit like binge drinking & drugging before checking yourself into rehab? That’s pretty effed up but we’ve all done it.
photo credit: thegardenbuzz via photopin cc
If we want long lasting changes it can’t be seasonal. So I’d like to propose a challenge to end the year. Let’s start moving our asses now. I’m not implying that we shouldn’t partake in the festivities so don’t get me wrong. This isn’t an all or nothing cold turkey kind of venture. There must be balance. We can totally party and enjoy traditions but just because we’re going to have Christmas cookies and egg nog with Aunt Sally on Saturday doesn’t mean we need to stuff our pie holes with cookies all damn week. We gotta earn it so we can enjoy guilt free. Plan ahead, eat well leading up to those events and get in your workouts. It’s possible.
Believe it or not there are people out there that love to workout.  I however am most definitely not one of those people. I still search for excuses and need to try like hell to fight the urge to justify letting myself off the hook so I need to get creative with how I fit it in. Just like you I’m busy, I’m tired, I don’t want to give up time with my family and I need my social life. All of these become more amplified during the holidays. It’s exhausting but I feel totally empowered when I can make it work. Even if I finish a workout at 10:45 at night because I procrastinated all freaking day I still feel like I’ve conquered the world. So how can you fit a workout in with all this shit going on?
Got kids?
They make for awesome weights and workout buddies. It’s fun for them and a killer workout for you. I have a pretty light weight (my 10 week old) and a heavy weight (my 6 year old) & it’s pretty easy to incorporate exercise into our play. At this point rocking my son to sleep is impossible. He wants squats!
Got a couch?
I’ve been asked how I keep my arms toned. Well, truth is I work upper body either standing in front of or while camped out on the couch watching the tube and I’ve put in A LOT of hours like that. I kinda feel like a lame ass even admitting that but there are days when I get home from work and just need to sit down and veg so I plunk my ass down with a set of dumbbells and bust out variations of bicep and shoulder moves.
Got a smart phone?
I know y’all can afford free & I know that y’all can carve out at least 15 minutes of your day to get your heiny moving. Â You have got to download the Nike Training Club app. There are tons of options in this app. Seriously tons. There are full workouts for cardio, strength, HIIT etc. with video tutorials on each and every move but when I’m super swamped I’ll look under the “Get Focused” tab to find a 15 minute workout and squeeze that shit in. They are actually pretty intense and although 15 minutes a day might not get you ripped it will keep you in the habit of staying active. You can add in the longer workouts come January when you’ve got all that extra time laying around *wink wink*. Until then get your 15 minutes in before heading out to the next holiday party.
That’s it, guys. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. So why not start the new year feeling good about the changes you’ve already made eh? Let everyone else make resolutions while you continue towards your goals. I mean shit, if you can start this during the holidays you’re already a freaking rock star.
I’d like you all to meet my friend Coral. We’ve known each other since 6th grade. The two of us hadn’t kept in touch much since high school but a few conversations here and there. Social media has shown me just how incredible some of my long-time friends are and I’m so grateful to be brought back together. Coral is one of those people. She has done fitness in a way I’d like to follow. Her approach is so low-stress, the eating/diet makes sense and she doesn’t go all out with fads or gym memberships…AT ALL. Seriously, it seems impossible – at least to me.
I asked Coral if she would share her story. She said yes. We’re so honored and excited to introduce you two in the hopes that you may become close. Please comment at the end of this post and let us know your feelings. –Tawsha
“Getting fit for moms who ain’t got time for that sh*t” Â – Coral
I honestly can’t pinpoint one particular occurrence that sparked my interest in fitness. I think what did it was an accumulation of things that brought on a realization of how little control I have in my life as a mom, a wife, a career woman etc. I was lost and started feeling less and less like I had a grip on my life. I needed something to focus on that only I could control the outcome of. I needed a challenge that would yield positive results for myself but also positively affect my family so as to avoid the “mommy guilt”. As far as I could tell, I was the one putting food in my face. Who was it manning the controls to my arms and legs? Yup, me again. Game on!
Diet (As much as I hate that word):
I may be a freak but I love logging my food diary everyday. I use an app called My Fitness Pal (which I’ll explain a bit in a sec). By logging my food, I’ve learned how to tweak things nutrition-wise to get results while actually nourishing my body. I assure you I eat very well. No low calorie diets, expensive meal replacements, wacky supplements or diet products for this chick. No suffering just good planning, balance & a few simple tricks up my sleeve. I don’t feel that I need to deny myself constantly either but there is a better option for basically everything.
Exercise:
I’m a busy bitch. I just don’t have time to do extreme workouts & I’m not willing to take any more of my already limited time with my munchkins. I spend around 20 to 40 mins with the occasional hour tops on my at home workouts after the kids are in bed. I own a crap load of Jillian Michaels videos, a yoga mat, resistance bands, some dumb bells and my beloved kettle bells. That’s it. Bare bones with no gym membership.
Accountability:
This is where shit gets real. Ever tried to make a life changing long term commitment without telling anyone? How’d that work out for you? Seriously, why do you think we get married in front of a group of people? It’s all about support and let me tell you, if people supported divorce as much as they support falling mouth first off the fitness wagon we’d all be a bunch of bitter fools attending a speed dating event. Don’t get me wrong, there are some seriously awesome supporters in my life but usually they are the ones who are joining in the fight along side me. Those relationships I might add have become stronger in the process. There is nothing more thrilling than seeing those you love succeed. I was also fortunate to have built a great support system with my “cyber pals” on MFP’s social media. Super geek right? But really it helped to have people cheering me on for making awesome changes in my life (they have access to my daily food & exercise diary) as it was their path as well. Those women have a special place in my heart. I just had to find my support system and voice my goals. If it hasn’t been spoken it doesn’t exist.
Avoiding derailment:
I had to try like hell not to get disenchanted early on. I was beyond excited and frankly most people didn’t give two shits about what I was constantly yammering on about and would much rather I shut up & go out for cocktails instead. There was no lack of love or a desire to see me fail. They simply weren’t interested or wanted me to enjoy things WITH them and it can be difficult to accept when your loved one turns down what you’re offering. I had to remember that it’s ok to indulge as long as it’s part of the plan. It’s also ok to decline but good gawd please don’t be the fitness martyr. I made this colossal freaking mistake initially and I’ve found that it only makes things uncomfortable for everyone & brings on the eye rolls not to mention that it’s wicked disempowering. I made this commitment to be strong not to be the victim of a healthy life.
So I guess this is where I give some super easy tips on what the hell to do first. That’s how this sweet ass lil website works right? I’m no expert by any means but here goes….
Okay then…
Tip #1: I swear by kettlebells. It’s how I kicked off this whole mess and I still use them at least a couple days a week. I marched my booty on down to Marshall’s and spent a whopping $15 bucks on a 10lb cast iron bell that came with, I shit you not, a Kettlebells for Dummies DVD. So yes I felt super cool at the register. The big selling point is that it’s cardio and strength training in one so essentially you cut your workout time in half. Get one!
Tip #2: Download the My Fitness Pal (MFP) app on your smart phone for free and even if you don’t want to do it long term, log your food for a couple weeks. It’s not nearly as time consuming as you might think and there is a barcode scanner to make it super simple. If you have a clear visual of your eating habits it’ll make it that much easier to find what you need to eliminate or modify. If you’re still reading and aren’t completely tired of me yet, feel free to send me a request on MFP so you can creep my diary & see how wickedly simple it can be. My user name is “Spunktastik” which perfectly describes my ultimate goal. (Google it) LOL Just send me a little note and mention Organized Chaos.
If you are going to make a change or already have you’re a bad ass and I’m hella proud of you! I’m also right there with you as I change gears from pregnancy fit to finding my postpartum groove. Let’s gooooo!!
This post is a bit long but it’s broken up into sections so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. You’ll be taking a ride through my mind. No holding back.
Back when I wrote So You’re Calling Me Fat, I was determined to make my way toward health. I’ve done it what seems like 100 times before and quit every time. My quitting doesn’t always happen after a certain number of days, it just comes out of nowhere and when it gets hard, I get hungry, I don’t see quick progress or (insert any other excuse here) happens, I bow out and return to my “normal” eating. The problem: I feel immediate guilt. Not enough to change, though.
I thought this time was going to be different. It was 32 days ago that I, again, committed to being healthy. I didn’t want to make it a crazy plan, just something I could freaking stick to.
In order to pull my focus away from what I’d naturally veer toward (quick fixes, eating plans, etc), I had to take a minute to discover what would work for me. I have a really strong mind and once I put my mind to something, it can turn into an obsession. This goes for wanting a Diet Coke, chocolate, junk food and a Range Rover. Oh wait, whoops, that last part wasn’t relevant. I am obsessed, though. Just FYI.
Getting the Right Mindset:
Why am I doing this? Do I just want to be thin? Is it for health? Like, TRULY for health (not just what sounds good to say out loud) or is it something else?
My body is fairly healthy. I don’t have any major problems and haven’t had to deal with health issues. A lightbulb went off. My body has been functioning normally despite everything I have done to it. My heart continues to beat, my lungs work, my immune system fights sickness and I ignore the fact that I can wake up every day and live. I feed my body crap, I set high expectations and assume it will perform exactly how I want it.
I have started thinking of my body as a friend who would do anything for me. It wants to make me happy, it does things for me that I don’t even recognize. The thing is: I’m ignoring this friend but still expect her to do what I need. This whole time, she hasn’t said much. I continue to hang out with other people (junk food, no exercise) who ruin my reputation (build fat, clog arteries) but always expect that my friend will be there whenever I need her.
That’s not fair of me.
It’s time I started focusing on my friend and finally give her what she needs.
In this case, it’s healthy food for optimal performance, exercise for health and mental clarity and a whole sh*t ton of water to show how much I care.
Recognizing Habits:
I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t want to do what I’d done before because it got me to where I am today. With the exception of Weight Watchers (which I wholeheartedly believe works), nothing gets me (and you) to where we want to be and is realistic to maintain. Period.
So, then, now what?
I needed to recognize my habits.
I went through my kitchen and rearranged everything. I took the snacks and moved them to a different place, I cleared off the kitchen counters, I moved the tempting food in the fridge to the very bottom and put the Diet Coke in our garage fridge.
Every time I’d unknowingly make my way to a snack, I’d be forced to stop. This was clearly a habit I wasn’t aware of. Since the thing I was ready to grab was no longer there, I had given myself a moment to see what I was doing and decide whether or not it was worth the guilt that would follow.
In most cases, the answer was “no“. It wasn’t worth it.
It Only Takes Three Things:
- Lots of water
- Portion Control
- Exercise (no matter what it is)
It All Seems So Easy. Is it?
It all sounds good in writing, doesn’t it? Planning out menus, rearranging the kitchen and throwing out fluffy analogies is simple at the beginning. Of course we all approach our goals with the greatest intentions. We think it will work this time. Buuuuuut… life gets busy which means that we need to cut at least one thing out of our schedule – usually exercise. We get tired which means we snack more or grab something that will “wake us up”. Chocolate comes to mind. Maybe a latte? Insert sugar or billion calories here.
Am I Successful?
I have made bigger changes to life than I was prepared for. What’s most surprising is that I don’t feel resentment toward the whole process. For once. I believe I’m ready. I’ve planned to do this when my head is in the exact right place. I’ve cut out Diet Coke, added in over 100oz of water a day, cut my portions (and drink water through my meals), eliminated most sugar and cut out all fast food.
These things are a HUGE change in my life. It’s extremely uncomfortable and requires constant attention to every move I make.
Complete Honesty and Vulnerability (and it makes my stomach turn):
When I made the decision to FINALLY make changes, I weighed 190 pounds. Writing that down makes me want to barf. If I don’t, it’s just another thing I’m hiding. It will allow me to go right back and pretend like all is okay. It’s not. I drank about 4-6 Diet Cokes a day, would eat fast food no less than 4 times a week and snacked on sugary things by the massive handfuls.
Inner monologue: Please let this be smart of me to post right now rather than something that comes back to bite me. I have to just keep typing and not hit the delete button. Keep going…keep going…
Chin up. Shoulders back. Forward momentum.
After 32 days of completely changing my eating habits, taking walks (not even consistently) and believing in myself, I am proud to say that I have lost 17 pounds and am fitting into a pair of my old favorite jeans. Each day, I’m getting closer to my designer jeans that have been sitting in my closet for 6 years. Even then, IÂ only wore them for two years. All of this is really new to me.
I’ve still got a long way to go but I can look at myself and be happy knowing that I’m not giving up, that I’m only getting better and that I can see changes that make me smile. My inner Tawsha is slowly but surely emerging.
Sounds silly but it’s true. I’m not chubby and insecure on the inside.
Because I’m OCD in many ways, having my inner Tawsha and outer Tawsha match makes me feel organized.
So, what’s your story?
Guess what y’all? Pumpkin ain’t just for food and drink. It’s great for your skin, too!
How country can I make myself sound? I’m a Washington girl living in Nashville. Y’all just rolls off the tongue.
Not the point of this post.
Exfoliate and get rid of antioxidants by creating this veggie concoction.
Day 10: Pumpkin Face Mask
Ingredients
-1/2 cup fresh pumpkin pulp
-2 eggs
-2 teaspoon almond milk (for dry or combo skin)
-1 teaspoon honey (for dry skin)
-2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice (for oily skin)
Instructions
Purée the fresh pumpkin pulp.then add the egg.
If your skin is dry, stir in a splash of omega-rich almond milk and the honey.
For oily skin, instead stir in apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice.
Mix well.
Apply the mask on your face, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse with cool water and moisturize.
3.1
https://www.organizedchaosonline.com/2013/09/10/day-10-pumpkin-face-mask/ As seen on https://www.organizedchaosonline.com
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This was me. Until about an hour ago.
I was sitting in the same clothes I slept in, my hair was on top of my head (okay, it still is), my house was a mess, I have things to do more than I have time in a day and I was literally frozen in place.
This happens more than I care to admit.
My “thing” when I feel overwhelmed is to look in one direction toward something I need to complete and say, “Okay.” I’ll turn around and see another project and say it again… “Okay.” This will happen about 20 more times and it accomplishes nothing.
Have you ever felt this way?
It seems that September is the month that kicks us into a speed of about 500 miles an hour and it doesn’t stop until January. The chores, holidays, events and activities start coming in a lightning speed and unless you’re on your game, this will send you into a cell with padded walls.
Let’s control our chaos.
But how?
Get up and do something. It doesn’t have to be something huge. Your goal is to look for something that will provide a sense of accomplishment. It has a starting point and an ending point in a short amount of time.
MAKE A LIST
Just start writing. Unload what’s on your mind. This doesn’t have to be in order, all under the same topic or even written well. The goal is to get that clutter out of your head and on paper. You can go back and sort it out later.
ORGANIZE A SMALL SPACE
Whether it’s your shower, the bottom of your closet, the silverware drawer or the spice cabinet. Tackle a small space that, everytime you go back to it, you feel a sense of accomplishment. Once you get started on your small space, you’ll get the drive to do other things. Tip: Set a timer. Don’t let this take you all day. It’s a small space and should take a small amount of time. If it feels like it’s too in depth, move on to something else. For now, at least.
WRITE A SCHEDULE
I’ve been talking to so many people who have all their days filled with sports, activities, club meetings, organization and travel. It gets so nuts. Start jotting it down in a calendar and make a schedule. Once you know when things are happening, your brain will start to sort it out, too. Place your important dates where they belong and back track a week or two and set yourself a reminder that your important date is approaching. This way, you aren’t caught off guard.
COMPLETE A CHORE
At my house, the laundry is the one thing I never keep up with. It is typically washed and dried but then it’s stacked up on the table in my laundry room neatly folded in half to avoid wrinkles…until my husband or son goes to look for the worlds smallest item within the stack. Then it topples. Taking the time to hang, fold and put away laundry is almost impossible. The funny thing is: Once I do it, I feel so much better. For you… find a chore that is nagging at you. What has a starting point and ending point and will make you feel better once accomplished? Do that thing.
SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME
If the inside is just too much right now, go outside. How about adding a festive wreath or swapping out your summer flowers for something more fall-like (or whatever season you wish)? There’s a definite sense of pride when you drive up to your home and you see colorful flowers and decor. Everything feels so tidy and put together. Just don’t invite anyone in.
Are you rolling your eyes right now? Just like working out, you’ll feel better afterwards.
It’s the Last Day to Enter – Winner Announced on Sunday, August 11th!
The organizedCHAOSonline community is growing, and it’s all because of YOU! We are so incredibly grateful to be connected with you. But… who are you? We don’t want our readers to be just a number in our Facebook “Like” stats; we want to meet who we’re writing to, and where our posts are being read. Where do you live? What are you interested in reading?
We’d like to create an organized CHAOS online community of people across the nation who are interested in the same things we are, and think the same way we do. On our Facebook page a few days ago, we asked our readers to comment with their home state. The below states (and countries) checked in.
Does yours have a pin? Show pride in where you live, by having your home represented on the map. We’d like to see pins on every state, and even expand into new countries!
Our Way of Thanking You…
We’re just so excited to hear from you all, we want to gift one of you a T-shirt that boasts your home state. We are IN LOVE with these shirts! To enter to win, see below (Entry deadline 8/11/13).
“The Home T”
ENTER HERE:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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